Wednesday, 4 July 2012

Yarn Along and Magical Pep-up Drink for Colds and Flu

I like to travel light every day - hands free. So I'm making a little bag out of felting wool, just big enough for the essentials. Phone, purse, lipstick, sunglasses...I've knitted it in stocking stitch and I'm making an i-cord strap to hang it across my shoulder. Then I'll felt and line it with fabric. Not sure which...I have a small stash.

And maybe it's because the rain has shaken all the buds from the honeysuckle and it looks like autumn, not summer when I peep through the window that I'm making wrist-warmers too. In simple single rib like some I spotted in Port Meadow Designs in Jericho. That's where I found the yarn in a bargain basket. Two 50gm skeins of fine Wash + Filtz-it in olive green, the colour I imagine Robin Hood wearing it's much brighter than in the photo. Different from those I've made before, knitted on two and not four needles, no thumb just simple with a split...nice for a change...I won't felt them but keep them soft and supple.

And reading? I'm loving camping in the apple orchards with Mac and Jim...fictionally that is...this week it's a bit too wet for real orchards, or tents for that matter...They are Steinbeck's characters in In Dubious Battle that I'm enjoying as much as I did Cannery Row...whilst sipping my special cough/cold brew which is almost magical!

Special Magical Pep-up Drink for Colds and Flu

For a glass or mugful for one person you will need:A spoonful of honey. Preferably local or ManukaThe juice of a lemonOne star aniseA little bit of cinnamonA pinch of turmericOne clove of garlic, peeled and crushedHot water

Put all the ingredients into a glass or mug and pour boiling water over, stir well, allow to cool a little and then drink. You may like to strain once the flavours have infused.

The thought of crushed garlic in a drink may put you off but it's amazing how many times I've made this for friends or family who initially shied away at the idea and then came back for more.

The honey is healing and soothing and is the sugar that helps the medicine go down. If it's local it should help to immunise against allergies and if Manuka it's meant to be even more therapeutic. The lemon is full of vitamin C great for fighting colds. The garlic, antibiotic antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, as is the turmeric. The star anise great for chests is apparently one of the components in anti flu drug tamiflu. And the cinnamon antiviral too...and the best bit is that they both taste so good. You can also add a little whisky or rum if you like...but it's amazing how much better you feel after just one mug.

Quick edit...thanks to Jess's comment she reminded that I missed out ginger. A small piece of fresh ginger either grated or cut into tiny pieces adds lovely warmth flavour and like it's relative turmeric is also anti-inflamitory. Thanks again Jess.

Maybe it's all in the mind but everyone says they feel much better soon after quaffing...

29 comments:

I've been trying to cook with lots of garlic to keep away the colds here from coming to my house. I like the sound of your pick me up drink too, you've included lots of healthy elements in it to kick that cold. Your little knitted bag sounds lovely too. I hope you feel better soon. :)

I'm sure that I just somewhere today that it's even supposed to help prevent Alzheimer's! Something to do with reducing inflammation in the part of the brain that Alzheimer's affects...Useful to know that their is something else it could help ward off in the future!

oh I missed the ginger. that's another main ingredient!...thanks for reminding me Jess...I always put it in mine too because that's anti-inflamitory too and tastes delicious and warms you up as it goes down.

What a lovely space you have here. I am so glad I stopped by--that recipe will come in handy. we are experiencing a summer cold and I think it is just the thing to try. That orange looks wonmderful and I do hope you share your finished items--that bag sounds very handy.

I hope you are feeling much better Debby and thank you for the magic recipe, I am putting a copy in my book for when it's needed. I travel light too these days and think I will use your idea to make a felt bag, a great idea.

Oh I'm not an expert but I do have a recipe for a natural eye cream. It's meant to be medicinal just to prevent dark circles and wrinkles. I use it often and have lots of allergies. Feathers, dust, animal hairs and grasses all make my eyes itchy and I can use this and find it quite cooling. As long as you aren't allergic you might like to try it...

You can link to it here: http://cookingupastorminateacup.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/recipe-for-success.html

I think that chilled cucumber or chamomile tea bags are really good too.

Your photos are beautiful Debby, and I'm totally with you on that whole 'travelling light' philosophy. Oh goodness, your magical elixir sounds wonderful ... I'll have to note this one down and whip some up the next time I'm a bit under the weather. On a related note, how amazing is Manuka honey?? (I swear by the stuff when I have a sore throat).:)

I know...it's very expensive here...but I try to get it whenever I can..or at least local honey. I still would love if we could get our own bees I'm sure they would love our garden it's so overgrown...maybe next year.Have a good weekend.Deb

Ooh err, garlic in it too? Sounds like a great healing concoction though. Haven't heard of star anise's properties, so I'm about to look those up. Hope it's working and the wretched virus doesn't hang around too long. Like the sound of your bag. I used to knot loads years ago, but now I don't even know where my knitting needles are!

So looking forward to getting honey from our bees, but I don't think it 's likely to happen this year :(

I know...that's most peoples first reaction! I'm surprised that I even managed to get my daughter to drink some when she came home from a rock festival after being soaked for six days with a really bad cold and chest.

I'm feeling much better now thanks.

I'm so jealous of your honey bees...I'm sure that it will be worth waiting for.Deb

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My style of cooking, like me and my home is rather eclectic. I gather things from East and West, old and new. I mix things up and experiment. I have some old favourite never-fail recipes like one for Madeira cake that always works however I adapt it, but I'm always happy to try new things too and share them all with you.

About Me

I love making things, drawing, reading and travelling to places that I've never been to before...going round the corner to see what's there. I am drawn like a moth to lights and lanterns, arthouse films, galleries, coffee shops, orchids, old black and white photographs, rooting around flea markets and jumble sales, newsprint and text, Brick Lane, Camden and Portobello Road.